Aussie 'terror' group tried to recruit teen boy

AN Islamic State group which boasted about 'martyrdom" operations coming to Australia attempted to recruit a 14-year-old boy, according to an ABC investigation.

The boy's home was searched as part of Operation Appleby, which began with raids in September last year.

A mobile phone was found including pictures of the boy holding firearms.

He pleaded guilty to firearms charges in August this year.

Four Corners reported the group of 19 men and boys was identified in March this year as "a close-knit group", in a control order imposed on one of them by the Federal Court.

The group strongly supported "the ideology and activities" of Islamic State and was "willing and able to commit a terrorist act".

A member of the group has also boasted online about "martyrdom" operations coming to Australia.

'Their eyes will stare in horror'

Seven of the so-called "Appleby Group" are now in prison, either convicted or awaiting trial on terrorisms or related charges. Six of the seven are in Goulburn's Supermax jail.

But the ABC reported that one of the group Jalaal Suleman was recently out in public with two other members of the Appleby Group attending a conference about the victimisation of Muslims organised by the hardline Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir.